Powerful storm threatens U.S. East Coast with flooding rains
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A powerful nor'easter brings coastal flooding to the Jersey Shore on Sunday afternoon, with high tide sending water over docks and into streets in Avalon, New Jersey, on October 12. Photo: Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images
A powerful storm was pummeling the U.S. East Coast with heavy rains, gusty winds and coastal flooding Sunday, with states of emergency declared in New Jersey and New York City and the surrounding region.
The big picture: Coastal flood warnings were in effect for much of the East Coast, including NYC, from the nor'easter that began slamming parts of the Carolinas on Saturday, and which prompted water rescues in Columbus County, N.C., and Georgetown, S.C., on Sunday.
- Coastal flood-related advisories stretched from northern Florida to New England from the storm that's set to linger into Tuesday, according to a Sunday National Weather Service forecast discussion.
Threat level: N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul said on X her office is "ready to assist local partners" as "damaging winds" and heavy rain moved in, noting the potential for flooding and power outages, as she declared an emergency for NYC, Long Island, and Westchester.
- Much of the NYC metro area and along the coast were expected to get winds with gusts of 45-55 mph through Monday, while Long Island was set to see 35-40 mph winds with gusts of 55-60 mph, per a forecast discussion from the NWS Upton, N.Y., office.
- Rainfall of 2-3 inches was expected in eastern Connecticut-Long
Island, with 1-2 inches for the NYC metro area.
Of note: There were reports of tidal flooding across Delaware and southern New Jersey Sunday and moderate to major coastal flooding was expected again with high tides overnight and into Monday, the NWS' Philadelphia/Mount Holly office said in posts on its social media accounts.
- "The greatest inundation and highest water levels are forecast to occur with the Monday afternoon/evening high tide cycle," it said. "If you experienced flooding Sunday, you will experience flooding again overnight and Monday."
- Winds will peak tonight into Monday morning across the region, with 50-60 mph gusts near the coast and 30-40 mph gusts inland and rain was expected to spread inland across N.J. into Pennsylvania into Monday, the NWS office said.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall continued along the Carolinas' coast, where the NWS' Weather Prediction Center warned of a level 2/4 risk of excessive rainfall amid the threat of scattered instances of flash flooding.
Zoom in: "More isolated instances of flash flooding will also be possible along the coast of the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England, with the threat for southern New England lingering into Monday," per the NWS discussion.
- "The greatest risk will be along the Mid-Atlantic coast where the combination of strong onshore winds, high surf, and strong astronomical tides are leading to major coastal flooding," it said.
- Flooded roads and inundated structures were possible along the waterfront.
- The NWS warned high surf was expected for most East Coast beaches, which it said "will generate strong, dangerous rip currents and likely lead to areas of beach erosion."
- Damaging wind gusts were possible along the coastal Mid-Atlantic and southern New England, which the NWS said may lead to "scattered power outages."
Between the lines: The strongest nor'easters are getting stronger, with maximum wind speeds of these most intense storms and hourly precipitation rates increasing, research shows.
Go deeper: Alaska storm sweeps away homes: Rescue operation under way
Editor's note: This article has been updated with additional details throughout.
